THE    BENEFITS    OP    AFFLICTION. 

A  SERMON 


ON  OCCASION  OF  THE  DEATH 


OF 


GENERAL  PHILIP  ST.  GEORGE  COCKE, 


Preached  at  his  late  Residence,  in  Powhatan  County, 
Va.,  on  the  28th  December,  1861, 


BY 


Rev.    CORNELIUS    TYREE. 


Published  by  the  Family  of  the  Deceased. 


RICHMOND: 

FERGUS 

1862. 


THE    BENEFITS    OF    AFFLICTION 


A  SERMON 


ON  OCCASION  OF  THE  DEATH 


OP 


GENERAL  PHILIP  ST.  GEORGE  COCKE, 


Preached  at  his  late  Residence,  in  Powhatan  County, 
Va.,  on  the  28th  December,  1861, 


BY 


Rev.    CORNELIUS    TYKEE 


P  iblished.  by  the  Family  of  the  Deceased. 


RICHMOND: 

MACFARLANE  &  FERGUSSON,  printers. 

1862. 


inc.  rLUJvuAG  wlului 


ft.UX' 


FUNERAL  SERMON. 


"Joseph  is  not.  and  Simeon  is  not,  and  ye  will  take  Benjamin  away:  all 
these  things  are  against  me." — Gen.  xlii:  36. 

A  series  of  trying  events  had  befallen  the  patriarch  Jacob. 
It  had  not  been  long  since  the  blood-stained  coat  of  Joseph  had 
been  brought  to  him,  when,  supposing  his  son  had  been  rent  in 
pieces  by  wild  beasts,  he  had  exclaimed,  "I  will  go  down  into 
the  grave,  unto  my  son  mourning."  Now  his  sons'  return  from 
Egypt,  with  the  dreadful  tidings  that  the  lord  of  the  country, 
under  the  accusation  that  they  were  spies,  had  cast  Simeon  into 
prison,  and  had  sworn  by  the  life  of  Pharaoh,  that  they  should 
not  see  his  face  any  more,  unless  they  brought  Benjamin  down. 
This  brought  from  the  afflicted  patriarch  the  deep  complaint  of 
the  text.  The  complaint,  however,  was  groundless.  The  very 
things  that  he,  in  his  ignorance,  deplores  as  against  him,  soon 
turned  out  to  be  greatly  for  him.  Could  he  have  looked  beyond 
the  cloud,  he  would  have  seen  Joseph  yet  alive  and  lord  of 
Egypt,  Simeon  under  a  brother's  care,  Benjamin  going  to  a 
brother's  arms,  and  all  waiting  to  receive  and  bless  him  in  his 
old  age. 

From  this  incident,  I  wish  to  show  that  the  very  things  in 
life  that  we  most  desire,  are  generally  most  detrimental  to  us; 
and  that  the  dispensations  that  we  most  deprecate,  are  promotive 
of  our  real  interests.  In  our  ignorance  and  unbelief,  we  are 
greatly  deceived  as  to  what  is  best  for  us.  We  congratulate 
ourselves  and  friends  when  we  are  prospered'  in  life,  but  could 
we  see  the  end  of  these  successes,  we  would  bewail  them  as 
curses.  On  the  other  hand,  we  mourn  when  we  and  our  friends 
meet  with  losses  and  trials,  when,  if  we  could  look  forward  and 
see  how  they  will  turn  out  to  our  good,  we  would  rejoice  and  be 
thankful,  rather  than  repine.  The  lapse  of  a  few  years  may 
show  us — and  if  not,  the  explanations  of  the  final  judgment 
will — that  the  very  things  we  eagerly  craved  and  fondly  doted 
on,  were  but  gilded  snares,  and  that  the  things  that  caused  our 


4  A   SERMON. 

hearts  to  bleed,  were  blessings  in  disguise.  God  often  gives 
temporal  good  in  wrath,  and  takes  it  away  in  mercy.  Both 
Scripture  and  experience  show  that  many  are  spiritually  put 
forward  and  upward,  by  being  temporarily  put  backward  and 
downward.  All  seek  health,  wealth  and  fame.  We  are  pleased 
when  our  plans  are  successful.  We  are  encouraged  when  our 
possessions  are  great,  safe  and  increasing.  We  esteem  ourselves 
children  of  fortune  when  our  families  are  healthy,  our  relations 
agreeable,  our  friends  numerous,  and  our  schemes  successful. 
These  are  the  things  that  we  suppose  are  for  us.  It  were  bet- 
ter for  us,  according  to  our  judgment,  that  we  should  live  lives 
free  from  pain,  losses  and  crosses.  Give  me  health,  possessions 
and  friends,  without  the  bitters  of  life.  Let  me  have  both  the 
religion  of  Christ  and  worldly  prosperity.  Let  me  have  all  sun- 
shine and  no  storms,  be  always  triumphant  without  defeats. 
Thus  would  all  choose  for  themselves.  But  God,  who  knows  in- 
finitely better  than  we  do  what  is  best  for  us,  has  determined 
otherwise.  Prosperity  is  not  necessarily  detrimental  to  piety. 
If  the  good  things  of  life  were  sought  from  the  Lord,  held  at 
his  disposal,  and  used  for  his  glory,  they  would  be  incentives  to 
repentance  and  gratitude,  and  the  means  of  greater  usefulness; 
but  being  sought  without  any  reference  to  God,  they  become  not 
only  hindrances  to  our  higher  interests,  but  positively  promotive 
of  irreligion. 

We  speak  of  the  common  effect  of  prosperity  and  adversity. 
There  are  exceptions.  In  some  rare  cases,  affluence  is  greatly 
for  men,  and  afflictions  greatly  against  them.  It  was  said  of 
Vespasian,  he  was  a  better  man  for  being  an  emperor.  In  all 
ages  there  have  been  a  few,  whose  prosperity,  instead  of  destroy- 
ing them,  has  increased  their  moral  and  religious  excellency. 
Such  become  rich  in  faith  and  in  good  works,  because  they  are 
rich  in  temporal  things.  There  is  another  class,  whose  wicked- 
ness is  increased  by  afflictions.  Of  Ahaz  the  Scripture  says: 
"In  his  afflictions  he  sinned  against  God  yet  more  and  more." 
And,  as  if  God  regarded  him  as  a  hideous  monster,  for  thus 
frustrating  this  mighty  appliance  of  good,  it  is  added,  "Now, 
this  is  that  Ahaz."  With  such,  fortune  and  faith  decrease  to- 
gether.    While  afflictions  make  thousands  of  good  men  better, 


A   SERMON.  & 

they  make  some  bad  men  worse.  These,  however,  are  the  ex- 
ceptions, as  evidential,  on  the  one  hand,  of  the  invincible  grace 
of  God,  as  they  are,  on  the  other,  of  the  deep  depravity  of  the 
human  heart.  "With  the  mass  of  men,  the  great  reason  why 
they  fear  not  God,  is  "because  they  have  no  changes."  The 
experience  of  thousands  is,  that  it  is  good  for  them  that  they 
have  been  afflicted.  For  one  that  is  wrecked  amid  the  storms  of 
adversity,  thousands  are  wrecked,  for  both  worlds,  in  the  calm 
of  prosperity. 

The  main  elements  of  prosperity  are  honors,  riches  and  plea- 
sures. These  arc  the  things  men  covet,  supposing  that  they  are 
for  them;  but,  according  to  the  teaching  of  Jesus  Christ,  they 
are  great  hindrances  to  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  These  are 
against  most  men,  because  thev  induce  unmindfulness  of  God 
and  rebellion  against  him.  They  foster  pride,  self-delusion, 
earthly-mindedibeas,  and  make  men  unwilling  to  embrace  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  But  the  afflictions  that  beset  us,  such  as  the 
disappointment  of  fond  hopes,  the  loss  of  property,  health  and 
friends,  that  we  so  much  deprecate  and  so  hastily  pronounce  to 
be  against  us,  are  the  rough,  yet  salutary  safeguards  against 
final  ruin.  True,  they  are  thorns,  but  they  are  the  only  effec- 
tual hedges  that  a  benevolent  God  can  interpose  in  our  way  to 
eternal  death.  True,  these  trials  take  from  you  some  dear 
worldly  objects ;  but  then,  under  God,  they  induce  you  to  seek 
your  spiritual  and  eternal  interests,  in  comparison  with  which 
all  earthly  objects  are  trifles.  But,  says  one,  "My  afflictions 
are  so  peculiar,  dark,  trying  and  subversive  of  all  my  hopes, 
how  can  they  be  for  my  good?"  But,  under  the  government  of 
God,  it  is  but  reasonable  to  suppose  that  many  things  must 
Occur,  for  which  we  cannot  account,  and  which  we  cannot  recon- 
cile with  divine  goodness  and  our  benefit.  Just  here  is  the  pro- 
vince of  that  faith  that  saves  the  soul.  Though  clouds  and 
darkness  are  round  about  him,  faith  realizes  that  justice  and 
judgment  are  the  habitation  of  his  throne.  In  the  darkest  trials 
the  believer  hears  the  voice  of  God  saying,  "Be  still,  ^Yhat  thou 
knowest  not  now  thou  shalt  know  hereafter." 

But  let  us  indicate  some  particulars,  in  which  the  inscrutable, 
trying  providences  of  God,  which  we   are  wont  to  pronounce 


6  A   SERMON. 

against  us,  are  but  links  in  the  chain  leading  to  our  greatest 
benefit  and  highest  happiness. 

1.  Afflictions  are  not  against,  hut  for  us,  because  they  often 
lead  us  to  seek  God,  ivhen  nothing  else  will.  So  engrossed  is 
man  in  the  things  of  time,  that,  in  many  cases,  nothing  but  the 
gathering  tempest  will  induce  him  to  flee  to  God,  his  great 
refuge.  "Who  is  the  Lord,  that  I  should  obey  his  voice,"  was 
the  impious  language  of  Pharaoh  while  in  affluence,  but  "en- 
treat the  Lord  for  me,"  was  the  suppliant  language  of  the  same 
haughty  monarch,  when  the  judgments  of  Heaven  were  thunder- 
ing around  him.  While  Manasseh  was  wealthy,  and  healthy,  and 
moved  in  kingly  splendor,  he  grew  to  be  a  chieftain  in  wicked- 
ness; but  when  he  was  dis-crowned,  reduced  and  imprisoned,  he 
humbled  himself,  sought  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  heard  him.  He 
now  blesses  God  for  the  dungeon  and  not  for  the  throne.  In 
mercy  he  was  ruined  temporarily.  So  long  as  the  Prodigal 
was  in  a  land  of  plenty,  he  was  contented  to  remain  from  his 
home,  but  when  he  began  to  be  in  want,  he  arose  and  returned 
to  his  father.  Famine  drove  him  home.  The  Disciples  allowed 
the  Saviour  to  sleep,  while  they  were  sailing  upon  a  smooth  sea, 
but  when  the  storm  threatened  them  they  went  to  him  in  ear- 
nest, and  prayed,  "Master,  carest  thou  not  that  we  perish?" 
So  with  most  men  now:  so  long  as  the  sea  of  life  is  stormless, 
they  are  contented  in  unbelief,  but  when  moral  storms  darken 
their  skies  and  wreck  their  hopes,  they  make  for  the  haven  of 
pardon  and  peace.  There  are  millions  on  the  Lord's  side  who, 
but  for  afflictions,  would  be  following  lying  vanities  and  forsak- 
ing the  God  that  made  them.  There  are  untold  numbers  in  the 
churches  of  Christ,  adorning  their  profession,  who  would  be  the 
devotees  of  mammon,  but  for  having  their  hearts  smitten  with 
sorrow.  Twice  ten  millions  are  singing  around  the  throne  in 
Heaven,  who  would  be  wailing  in  penal  fires,  but  for  having  met 
with  losses  and  crosses  on  earth.  The  experience  of  David  is 
the  experience  of  such :  "  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been 
afflicted,  that  I  might  learn  thy  statutes."  They  will  tell  you, 
with  Dr.  Young — 

"Amid  my  list  of  blessings  infinite, 

Stands  this  foremost,  tLat  my  heart  has  bled ; 

For  all  I  bless  Thee,  most  for  the  severe." 


A   SERMON.  7 

And  if  so,  are  not  the  tribulations  of  life  for  you  ? 

2.  Afflictions  are  not  against,  but  for  us,  because  they  give  us 
a  realizing  belief  in  the  existence,  government  and  presence  of 
God.  In  times  of  prosperity  we  become  practical  atheists. 
We  believe  that  Jehovah  is  the  God  of  the  Bible,  of  the  Church, 
and  of  Christianity ;  but  have  no  practical  persuasion  of  his 
agency  in  the  common  events  and  affairs  of  life.  How  shame- 
fully do  we  ignore  God,  as  a  nation,  as  farmers,  and  as  families ! 
In  common  life,  we  put  Him  far  off,  in  the  empyreal  heavens,  and 
act  as  if  we  were  self-created  and  self-sustained.  In  this  re- 
spect, we  are  "without  God  in  the  world."  Now,  the  most 
effectual  cure  for  this  crying  sin  is  adversity.  "When  God  speaks 
to  us  in  some  trying  providence;  when  he  visits  in  national  ca- 
lamities; when  he  takes  from  us  health,  possessions  and  friends; 
then  we  realize  that  he  is  above,  around  and  within  us.  Said 
Dr.  Payson,  when  on  a  bed  of  languishing,  "I  know  that  God 
is  in  this  room;  I  see  him,  I  feel  him,  I  enjoy  him."  0,  how 
near  and  realizingly  does  God  come  to  us  in  the  death  of  loved 
ones !  In  trying  and  adverse  events,  whatever  may  be  the  rod 
used,  we  feel  that  he  is  the  chastiser.  If,  then,  adverse  provi- 
dences induce  in  us  the  conviction  that  by  God  we  are  made, 
sustained,  and  are  soon  to  be  judged,  then,  surely,  they  are 
among  the  "all  things  that  work  together"  for  our  good. 

3.  Afflictions  are  the  best  means  of  acquiring  an  experimental 
knowledge  of  sacred  things.  The  great  defect  in  our  religion 
is,  that  it  is  too  speculative.  It  slumbers  inertly  in  the  mind, 
exerting  but  little  influence  over  our  emotional  nature.  We 
preach,  hear,  pray,  and  believe,  speculatively.  The  great  want 
of  the  world  is  an  earnest,  heart-felt,  experimental  religion. 
How  can  it  be  acquired  ?  God  has  many  schools  in  which  to 
train  his  children.  He  teaches  them  by  his  Word,  his  ministry 
and  ordinances;  but  these  do  not  impress  and  move  the  heart 
like  trials.  "Tribulation  worketh  patience,  and  patience  expe- 
rience, and  experience  hope,  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed." 
It  may  be  well  questioned,  whether  one  can  be  an  experienced, 
enlarged  Christian,  without  being  schooled  in  fiery  trials.  The 
profoundest  sense  of  God's  goodness,  which  it  has  been  my  pri- 
vilege to  witness,  I  have  seen  in  the  countenance  and  heard  from 


8  A   SERMON. 

the  lips  of  the  suffering.  We  find  that  none  lean  on  God  with 
such  a  filial  trust  as  those  whom  he  has  afflicted.  We  doubt, 
indeed,  whether  true  gratitude  and  faith  ever  spring  up  in  the 
soul  till  it  has  been  smitten  with  anguish.  The  religion  of  those 
who  have  been  always  prosperous  must  be  superficial  and  incom- 
plete. But  deep,  strong,  Christ-like  piety,  strikes  root  in  the 
soil  which  has  been  broken  and  softened  by  calamity.  And  if 
so,  are  not  troubles  promotive  of  our  highest  good?  Are  we 
not  in  great  moral  danger  without  them  ? 

4.  Afflictions  give  us  a  new  insight  into,  and  endear  unto  us, 
the  Scriptures  of  God.  There  are  many  portions  of  God's 
Word,  the  meaning  of  which  we  can  never  understand,  the 
beauty  of  which  we  can  never  appreciate,  and  the  preciousness 
of  which  Ave  can  never  realize  till  we  have  known  adversity. 
You  cannot  enter  into  the  feelings  of  one  in  distress  till  you 
have  been  similarly  tried  yourself.  Now,  the  Bible  was  mostly 
written  by  the  afflicted,  for  the  afflicted.     Indeed, 

"Had  he  ne'er  with  grief  been  smitten, 
Then  David's  Psalms  had  ne'er  been  written.'' 

We  do  not  overstate  the  truth,  when  we  affirm  that  the  Bible 
is  more  the  afflicted  man's  book  than  the  prosperous  man's.  A 
vast  deal  of  the  Scriptures  is  written  for  the  comfort  of  such. 
Many  of  the  Divine  promises  demand  afflictions  as  the  condi- 
tion of  their  fulfilment,  and  the  element  wherein  alone  their  full 
lustre  can  radiate.  Take  this  one:  "When  thou  passest  through 
the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee,  and  through  the  floods,  they 
shall  not  overflow  thee ;  when  thou  passest  through  the  fire,  thou 
shalt  not  be  burned,  neither  shall  the  flames  kindle  upon  thee." 
This  is  a  cheering  Scripture  to  all,  at  all  times,  but  oh !  how  it 
comes  home  to  the  heart  of  those  who  are  sinking  in  the  deep 
waters  of  trouble.  Says  Christ,  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that 
labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest."  To  all 
classes,  such  a  promise  is  beautiful  and  encouraging;  but  to  the 
tried,  the  bereaved  and  grief-smitten,  it  is  more  melodious  than 
the  tones  of  an  angel's  harp,,  and  more  soothing  than  the  fan- 
ning of  a  seraph's  wings.  This  one  verse  has  been  bathed  with 
the  tears  of  millions  who  will  ,weep  no  more.     Take  the  great 


A   SERMON.  9 

doctrines  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  and  the  meeting  and  recognition  of  the  redeemed  in  Hea- 
ven. To  mankind,  in  all  conditions,  such  doctrines  are  grand, 
ennobling,  and  the  mightiest  restraints  to  vice  and  incentives  to 
virtue.  But  how  solacing  are  such  Gospel  truths,  when  death 
sweeps  from  us  dear  friends  !  How  the  one  saying,  "  Blessed 
are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord,"  supports  the  bleeding  heart. 
when  the  red-mouthed  grave  is  about  receiving  our  parents,  chil- 
dren, husbands  and  wives !  Said  Luther,  "  I  never  knew  the 
meaning  of  the  Bible  till  I  was  afflieted."  If,  then,  trials  and 
-  lead  us  to  understand,  apply,  obey  and  prize  the  Word  of 
God,  are  they  not  sent  both  in  love  and  wisdom?  In  the  high- 
est sense,  they  subserve  our  eternal  good. 

5.  Afflictions  tend  to  jurify  us.  Before  some  of  the  vessels 
of  the  temple  could  be  used  for  sacred  purposes,  they  had  to  be 
put  into  the  fire.  So,  before  we  are  prepared  for  the  Master's 
use,  it  is  needful  that  we  pass  through  the  furnace  of  affliction. 
The  human  heart,  like  the  soil  of  the  earth,  has  to  be  torn  up 
by  the  plowshare  of  tribulation,  before  it  will  produce  much 
fruit  of  holiness.  About  the  best  there  cling  besettirg  sins, 
which  greatly  mar  our  religious  characters  and  lessen  our  moral 
power.  Now,  the  most  effectual  means  of  purging  off  from  be- 
lievers the  remains  of  pride,  covetousness,  sloth,  malice  and 
selfishness,  is  the  fiery  furnace  of  trouble.  Were  you  to  wit- 
ness a  refiner  refining  gold,  you  would  suppose  that  the  gold  it- 
self would  be  destroyed,  in  the  intense  heat.  So,  when  you  see 
a  child  of  grace  under  an  accumulation  of  ills,  you  would  sup- 
pose he  would  be  crushed.  But  how  improved  in  piety  when 
they  come  out  of  the  furnace !  How  humbled,  softened,  chas- 
tened, enlarged  and  crucified  to  the  world !  Who  has  not  been 
benefited  by  afflictions?  Said  David,  "Before  I  was  afflicted  I 
went  astray,  but  now  I  have  kept  thy  word."  Said  that  man 
of  God,  A.  W.  Clopton,  when  referring,  on  his  dying  bed,  to  a 
sore  domestic  affliction,  "It  was  as  essential  to  my  salvation  as 
the  blood  of  Christ;  I  would  not  have  died  without  some  such 
trial,  for  a  thousand  worlds."  When  the  trial  came,  he  sup- 
posed all  his  hopes  were  crushed,  and  yet  it  was  the  means  of 
his  becoming  a   Christian,  a  minister,   and  an   heir  of  glory. 


10  A   SERMON. 

And  where  and  what  would  some  of  you  be,  but  for  some  sore 
trouble  ? 

6.  Once  more,  trials  qualify  for  greater  usefulness.  As  the 
heavens  are  only  gemmed  with  stars  in  the  night,  so  the  light  of 
Christian  example  shines  most  brilliantly  in  the  darkness  of 
Borrow.  Nothing  so  well  prepares  a  minister  to  preach,  as  a 
bed  of  languishing.  Even  Christ  could  not  be  a  perfect  Sa- 
viour, could  not  enter  into  all  the  feelings  and  exigencies  of 
his  people,  without  suffering.  Hence,  we  read  of  the  Captain 
of  our  Salvation  being  made  perfect  through  sufferings — of  his 
being  tempted,  (or  afflicted)  that  he  might  succor  them  that  are 
tempted,  (or  afflicted).  Afflictions  give  us  a  heart  to  weep  with 
those  who  weep.  When  we  are  in  distress,  in  vain  may  we  re- 
pair, for  comfort,  to  those  who  never  knew  what  anguish  meant. 
They  will  not  listen  to  our  tale  of  woe;  but  those  who  have 
borne  the  smart  themselves  will  sympathise  with  and  speak  a 
word  in  season  to  those  who  cry,  "Pity  me,  pity  me,  0  ye  my 
friends,  for  the  hand  of  God  has  touched  me."  I  doubt  whether 
any  Christian  can  be  extensively  useful,  without  having  been 
trained  in  the  school  of  adversity.  There  are  departments  in 
the  vineyard  that  the  untried,  prosperous  professor,  cannot  en- 
ter. God  designs  all  his  people  to  be  useful,  and  hence,  in  some 
way  he  chastises  and  afflicts  them  all.  If  the  chastisements  that 
our  Father  inflicts  on  us  are  designed  to  make  us  more  efficient 
in  the  great  work  of  converting  souls,  let  us  pray,  with  Luther, 
"Strike  on,  strike  on,  0  my  God." 

7.  Afflictions  are  promotive  of  our  well-being,  because  they 
wean  us  from  this  world.  When  the  dove  first  flew  out  from 
the  ark,  and  found  nothing  but  winds,  rains  and  rolling  waves, 
she  soon  returned  to  the  ark  for  shelter  and  rest;  but  when,  on 
her  second  flight,  she  found  smiling  plains,  bathed  in  sunshine, 
she  was  delighted,  and  remained.  Behold,  0  man,  an  image  of 
thyself.  When  the  world  becomes  to  thee  a  scene  of  wealth, 
health  and  pleasure,  thou  art  captivated  with  the  enchantress 
and  exclaimest,  it  is  good  for  me  to  be  here,  and  to  remain  here 
forever.  But  when  the  world  becomes  to  thee  a  place  of  gloom, 
poverty,  anxiety  and  misery,  then  thou  art  induced  to  seek  a 
better  portion  and  home.     As  life  is,  notwithstanding  all  the 


A   SERMON.  11 

troubles  and  distresses  that  checker  our  path,  how  difficult  to 
detach  our  affections  from  the  things  of  time  and  sense.  Even 
the  old  and  the  sick  cling  to  earth  with  an  idolatrous  grasp. 
How  completely  rooted  to  this  life  would  we  be,  if  it  were  full 
of  charms !  If  our  condition  here  was  one  of  unbroken  pros- 
perity, it  would  become  our  ardent  wish  to  live  here  forever. 
Now,  God  loves  us  too  much  to  allow  us  to  remain  contented 
with  a  portion  and  home  as  worthless  as  this  world  is.  He  has 
made  us  for  a  higher  destiny,  and  prepared  for  us  a  better  home ; 
and  hence,  he  aims  to  cool  our  ardor  for  earth,  and  induce  us  to 
turn  our  aspirations  to  Heaven,  by  sending  on  us  afflictions 
thick  and  trying.  While  his  peculiar  people  were  in  Egypt,  they 
were  becoming  satisfied  in  their  degraded  condition,  had  no  de- 
sire to  set  out  for  Canaan,  but  God,  by  the  oppressions  of  Pha- 
raoh, so  stirred  up  their  nest,  that  they  sighed  to  leave  for  the 
promised  land.  So  now,  my  brethren!  all  your  troubles,  your 
afflictions  of  all  kinds,  spring  not  from  the  dust,  but  arc  sent  on 
you  by  a  God  of  love,  to  render  you  dissatisfied  with  this  world 
as  your  final  abode,  and  to  induce  you  to  seek  that  bright,  saintly 
home,  that  lies  far  beyond  the  changes  and  panics,  convulsions 
and  woes  of  this  present  life.  "Beloved,  think  it  not  strange 
concerning  the  fiery  trials  which  try  you."  God  would  not  use 
such  rough  means,  in  disciplining  us  for  the  joys  of  his  presence, 
if  our  hearts  were  not  so  stubborn  and  prone  to  attach  them- 
selves supremely  to  earth.  He  would  not  speak  to  some  of  us 
with  a  voice  so  startling,  if  we  were  not  so  ready  to  slumber  on 
the  enchanted  ground.  Does  he  darken  our  heavens  with  clouds 
and  tempests?  It  is  to  induce  us  to  seek  a  place  in  Heaven, 
where  storms  are  not  known.  Has  he  taken  from  you  posses- 
sions? It  is  that  you  may  lay  up  treasures  in  Heaven.  Does 
he  take  from  you  dear  friends  ?  It  is  that  earth  may  have  fewer, 
and  Heaven  additional  charms.  He  intends  every  pain,  dis- 
ease, loss,  cross,  and  bereavement,  to  loosen  the  bonds  that  bind 
you  to  earth,  that  you  may  rise  and  seek  the  things  that  are 
above.  And  if  so,  are  these  things  against  us?  "Which  is  bet- 
ter for  you — to  have  temporal  prosperity  and  no  hope,  or  afflic- 
tions, which  are  but  for  a  moment,  followed  by  a  far  more  ex- 
ceeding and  eternal  weight  of  glory?     Judge  ye,  and  make  your 


12  A   SERMON. 

choice.     If  we  were  really   wise,   this  would  be  our  prayer: — 

"Come,  disappointment,  come! 

Though  from  hope  s  summit  thou  hurlest  me, 

Still  I  welcome  thee. 

As  the  rigid  nurse  of  Heaven, 

Sent  to  wean  me  from  the  world; 

To  turn  mine  eye  from  vanity 

And  point  to  scenes  that  never,  never  die.'7 

8.  The  trials  of  time  will  render  Heaven  more  delightful. 
We  appreciate  things  by  contrast.  We  could  not  enjoy  our 
food,  if  strangers  to  hunger.  We  could  not  know  the  pleasures 
of  rest,  without  previous  toil.  Why  was  the  land  of  Canaan  so 
pleasant  to  the  Israelites?  Because  its  possession  was  preceded 
by  forty  years  wandering  and  suffering  in  the  wilderness.  So, 
Heaven  would  not  be  to  us  what  it  will  be,  were  we  not  pre- 
pared for  it  by  the  chequered  scenes  of  this  life.  It  cannot  be 
as  blissful  to  the  angels,  who  have  never  known  sorrow,  as  it  is 
to  redeemed  sinners,  who  reach  it  "through  great  tribulation." 
Said  Dr.  Judson,  after  his  deliverance  from  the  long  and  gloomy 
imprisonment  at  Ava,  "I  have  no  doubt  my  21  months  in  that 
dismal  jail  will  render  Heaven  sweeter  to  me."  Oh,  what  an 
exchange  docs  the  child  of  God  make  in  leaving  earth  for  Hea- 
ven! When  admitted  into  the  New  Jerusalem,  what  a  radiant, 
ever-blooming,  all-satiating  contrast,  does  he  find  to  the  sorrows, 
trials,  and  dying  scenes  of  earth,  which  he  has  just  quitted! 
How  happy  was  Jacob  when  he  lay  infolded  in  the  arms  of  his 
dear  Joseph,  and  saw  the  glorious  results  that  God's  once  mys- 
terious providence  had  wrought  out  for  him !  So,  when,  from 
the  height  of  the  heavenly  Zion,  the  redeemed  shall  look  and 
see  all  the  way  the  God  of  grace  led  them ;  when  all  the  mys- 
terious providences  of  Jehovah  shall  be  unfolded  to  them;  when 
parents  will  see  why  they  so  early  buried  their  children ;  when 
the  wife  shall  sec  why  the  dear  partner  of  her  bosom  was  taken 
from  her;  when  the  poor  shall  see  why  they  were  kept  in  the 
vale  of  poverty ;  when  others  shall  see  why  health,  and  posses- 
sions and  friends  were  taken;  in  fine,  when  we  shall  sec  that 
the  very  afflictions  that  were  most  crushing  were  most  essential 
to  our  salvation,  then  ten  thousand  voices,  which  on  earth  pro- 


A    SERMOX.  13 

nounced  all  these  things  against  them,  will  shout  and  sing  Ho- 
sanna  to  Him  who  once  made  their  hearts  bleed.  Oh,  how  they 
will,  through  the  wasteless  ages  of  eternity,  utter  thanksgiving 
to  God  for  having  washed  their  robes  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
and  brought  them  out  of  great  tribulations,  to  dwell  in  his  pres- 
ence forever. 

With  one  reflection,  I  will  dismiss  the  discussion  of  this 
Scripture.  Afflictions  are  only  beneficial  to  those  who  submit 
to  God,  and  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  pardon  and  eter- 
nal life.  All  these  things  are  against  those  who,  in  heart  and 
life,  arc  against  God  and  his  gospel.  Afflictions  are  generally 
God's  last  resort  to  bring  men  to  repentance.  If  they  fail,  then 
they  may  turn  to  judgments,  and  augment  our  guilt  and  hard- 
ness in  time,  and  our  misery  in  eternity.  Hearer,  sec  to  it  that 
you  despise  not  the  chastenings  of  the  Lord.  Better  never  to 
have  been  born  than  thus  to  frustrate  his  dealings  with  you. 

Thus,  I  have  attempted  to  show  the  benefits  of  afflictions, 
with  a  hope  that  we  might  improve  the  sad  dispensation  that  has 
brought  us  together  to-day.  I  am  not  the  one,  nor  is  this  the 
occasion,  to  do  full  justice  to  the  memory  and  character  of  the 
excellent  friend  whose  death  we  all  so  deeply  deplore.  It  is 
due,  however,  to  General  Cocke,  that  the  minister  should,  on 
this  sacred  occasion,  briefly  portray  his  excellent  character. 
The  character  of  our  friends  cannot  be  properly  understood  and 
appreciated  till  they  are  dead.  We  prized  this  valuable  gentle- 
man while  he  was  living,  but  now  that  he  is  no  more,  his  bright 
assemblage  of  virtues  loom  up  before  us,  and  we  begin  to  realize 
the  loss  we  have  sustained  in  his  death.  The  grandest,  most 
excellent  and  useful  things  in  this  world,  is  a  well-formed,  sym- 
metrical, virtuous  character.  The  character  of  our  deceased 
friend  was  one  of  rare  worth,  and  should  be  studied,  admired 
and  embalmed.  Unless  I  greatly  mis-read  him,  I  would  say 
that,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  term,  he  was  a  high-toned  gentle- 
man. All  who  knew  him  were  impressed  with  his  honesty  and 
sincerity.  Most  men  are  masked — act  a  part  in  which  the  outer 
is  not  a  true  exponent  of  the  inner  man.  General  Cocke  im- 
pressed me  as  being  a  transparent  man;  and  with  these  excel- 
lencies there  were  combined  two  others  equally  prominent  and 


14  A   SERMON. 

valuable.  He  possessed  the  modesty  of  a  woman,  with  the  chiv- 
alry of  a  hero.  Nor  was  his  character  merely  negatively  valu- 
able. He  was  a  devoted  patriot.  This  Commonwealth  had  no 
truer  pon  than  he.  In  all  of  our  scientific,  philanthropic  and 
agricultural  enterprises,  he  was  among  the  leaders,  aiding  with 
a  liberal  hand  and  wise  counsels.  No  one  man  has  done  more 
to  elevate  Virginia  in  her  great  interests,  than  did  he.  When 
our  present  national  troubles  began  to  impend,  and  our  wisest 
statesmen  differed  and  hesitated  as  to  the  course  the  Southern 
States  should  take,  he,  with  a  clearer  sagacity,  saw  and  pointed 
out  the  only  path  of  duty,  safety  and  honor;  and  when  the 
dread  issue  came,  last  spring,  he  led  the  vanguard  to  face  dan- 
ger and  death.  In  the  field  he  remained  exerting  his  energies, 
means  and  sword,  in  suffering,  doing  and  daring,  till  forced  home 
by  the  rapid  wane  of  both  his  physical  and  mental  powers.  On 
that  bloody  day  when  the  battle  of  Manassas  was  fought,  he 
distinguished  himself  for  his  skill  and  daring.  Wherever  the 
balls  flew  thickest,  he  was  to  be  seen  cheering  his  men  on  to 
battle  and  to  victory.  He  often  said  he  was  willing  to  lay  down 
his  life  to  expel  the  invader  of  our  rights.  I  do  regard  his 
death  as  truly  and  as  clearly  a  sacrifice  for  our  country  as  if  he 
had  fallen  on  the  21st  of  July,  Gen.  Cocke  was  just  as  much 
a  martyr  for  Southern  liberty  as  Generals  Bee  or  Bartow.  He 
was  a  devoted  member  of  the  church  of  Christ.  Most  deeply 
will  his  own  denomination  feel  his  loss.  In  erecting  houses  of 
worship,  in  the  support  of  his  pastor,  and  in  the  general  well 
being  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  this  county,  he  took  a  most 
conspicuous  and  important  part.  And  still  more  does  the  value  of 
this  excellent  man  appear,  if  you  view  him  as  a  neighbor  and 
master.  To  struggling  merit  he  was  ever  ready  to  extend  a 
helping  hand.  For  the  sick  and  needy  he  had  a  feeling  heart 
and  an  open  purse.  No  man  understood  better  the  relation  be- 
tween master  and  servant,  and  none  that  I  have  known  met 
more  scripturally  the  obligations  this  relation  imposes.  He 
made  provisions  for  the  bodily  and  spiritual  wants  of  his  ser- 
vants. I  speak  advisedly  when  I  affirm  that  I  have  never  known 
an  owner  of  servants  to  manage  and  care  for  them  more  kindly 
and  systematically  than  he  did.     Nor  have  I  ever  known  ser- 


A   SERMON.  15 

vants  more  devoted  to  their  master.  On  his  unexpected  return 
from  Manassas,  they  rushed  to  meet  him  with  an  affectionate- 
ness  that  drew  tears  from  a  gentleman  who  was  with  him.  And 
may  I  not  venture  to  follow  him  into  the  sanctum  sanctorum  of 
his  family,  and  view  him  in  the  responsible  relation  of  husband 
and  parent t  What  system!  what  punctuality  in  domestic  de- 
votion !  what  dignity  and  uniformity !  what  forbearance !  what 
pure  principles  did  he  inculcate  by  precept  and  example !  what 
affectionateness !  Who  can  doubt  that  the  life  of  such  a  father 
will  exert  a  moulding  influence  on  his  children  ? 

But  he  is  gone.  With  a  temperament  nervous  and  excitable, 
being  for  more  than  a  year  under  intense,  high-wrought  and 
continued  mental  anxiety  about  the  country,  and  dwelling  on 
the  gloomy  aspect  of  our  revolution,  his  bright  intellect  gave 
way  and  was  wrapped  in  the  sombre  cloud  of  irrationality,  which 
caused  his  mournful  end.  Noble  man !  Though  thy  sun  went 
down  at  high  noon,  behind  tempests  and  clouds,  we  trust  it  is  al- 
ready risen  again,  in  the  undying  splendor  of  a  blessed  immor- 
tality. 

General  Cocke  was  just  the  man  whose  death  makes  a  great 
vacuum  in  every  sphere  in  which  he  was  wont  to  move.  He  will 
be  greatly  missed — missed  by  our  young  and  struggling  nation; 
missed  in  our  army;  missed  in  his  State;  missed  in  his  county; 
missed  in  his  church ;  missed  by  his  servants ;  missed  by  his 
children ;  and,  most  of  all,  missed  by  her  who  was  nearest  to 
him.  Surely,  this  untimely  death  is  against  us !  No,  verily. 
To  think  so  were  to  impeach  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God, 
repine  under  his  rod,  and  frustrate  the  benevolent  designs  he ' 
has  in  sending  the  affliction.  As  certain  as  God  reigns,  great 
spiritual  good  is  to  come  out  of  this  sore  trial.  In  eternity  we 
shall  see  why  this  calamity  came  upon  us. 

Alas !  how  impotent  are  human  sympathies  and  words  to  sol- 
ace the  bereaved,  while  writhing  under  such  a  blow  as  this.  It 
were  unnatural  to  relinquish  back  to  God  such  a  gift  without 
grief.  The  heart  smitten  by  such  a  stroke  will  bleed.  But  God 
grant  that  the  mourning  of  this  family  may  be  tempered  with 
submission.  Let  us  all  pray  that  they  may  not  yield  to  brood- 
ing sadness,  but  transfer  their  tears  from  the  face  of  the  be- 


16  A   SERMON. 

loved  dead  to  the  feet  of  Christ,  the  Great  Consoler,  and  there 
compose  their  souls  to  serenity  and  peace.  Of  all  afflictions, 
the  greatest  is  an  affliction  lost.  May  this  affliction  not  be  lost 
on  this  dear  household.  May  it  lead  each  one  of  the  survivors, 
savingly,  to  trust  and  serve  Him  who  has  thus  chastened  them. 
And  wherever  their  divergent  pathways  may  lead,  as  they  are 
all  beautifully  bound  together  in  sweet  natural  ties,  so  may 
they  be  bound  to  Christ  by  a  living  faith,  be  one  in  his  service 
on  earth,  and  all  form  an  unbroken  family  in  the  Paradise  of 
God. 

And  now  we  are  about  to  bid  adieu  to  our  dear  friend.  Peace 
to  his  memory.  The  mound  of  earth  that  will  cover  his  re- 
mains will  soon  moulder  into  one  undistinguished  common  by 
Time's  oblivious  march.  The  monument  that  will  tell  his  name 
to  coming  ages,  will  fall  by  the  crash  of  thunder  and  the  war- 
ring winds:  but  his  virtues,  his  principles,  his  example,  his  noble 
deeds,  his  influence,  will  live  on  in  the  good  of  his  children,  his 
State  and  the  country. 

And  now,  beloved  hearers,  we  who  are  here  to  mingle  our 
sympathies  with  the  afflicted,  may  learn  from  this  sad  event  our 
deep  central  need  of  the  religion  of  Christ.  Already,  many 
and  crushing  have  been  the  trials  of  some  of  you.  And  per- 
haps sorer  reverses  are  awaiting  you.  No  plans,  however  wise ; 
no  talents,  however  brilliant;  no  wealth,  however  unbounded; 
no  strength,  however  great;  or  schemes  of  pleasure,  however 
skilfully  planned,  can  avert  from  you  sorrows,  woes  and  dying 
scenes.  Now,  can  you  venture  to  meet  the  inevitable  trials  of 
time  without  the  supports  of  the  Gospel?  To  say  nothing  of 
the  dreadful  sorrows  of  eternity,  do  you  not,  amid  life's  ills, 
feel  your  need  of  this  great  Comforter  ?  0,  go  to  the  cross  and 
seek  the  forgiveness  of  your  sins  and  a  hope  of  Heaven.  Then, 
in  all  the  afflictions  of  time,  and  in  the  agonies  of  death,  you 
will  be  safe  and  happy.  Then,  when  the  world  shall  be  melting 
down,  by  the  fires  of  the  last  day,  you  will  be  calm  and  triumph- 
ant.    Amid  Nature's  ruin. 

"You  will  fasten  your  band  on  the  skies, 
And  bid  earth  roll,  nor  feel  her  idle  whirl." 


